Vehicle lamp and terminal therefor

ABSTRACT

A vehicle lamp for automobiles, trailers, trucks, and the like includes a housing having an open end compartment closed by a lens and a lamp support within the compartment for receiving a lamp having a lamp base with at least one lamp contact thereon and engageable with a portion of a terminal mounted on an insulating member and having a resilient finger portion of the terminal engageable with a bare end portion of an insulated conductor in a manner to cause flexing of the finger portion and clamping of the conductor by pressing the bare end portion of the conductor against the insulating member to prevent withdrawal therefrom.

United States Patent [191 Ploeger 1 E Re. 28,637

1 1 Reissued Dec. 2,1975

[ VEHICLE LAMP AND TERMINAL THEREFOR [76] Inventor: Kenneth C. Ploeger,705 S. 10th St.,

Blue Springs, Mo. 64015 Reissue of:

[64] Patent No.: 3,739,168

Issued: June 12, 1973 Appl. No.: 250,876 Filed: May 8, 1972 [52] U.S.Cl. 240/7.l R; 240/82 [5]] Int. CI. B60Q 1/00; B600 1/30 [58] Field ofSearch 240/7.1 R, 8.2, 8.3, 153; 339/59 L, 61 L, 91 L, 94 L, 95 R, 95 D,176 L, 188 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,127,6758/1938 Clements 339/188 R 3,145,933 8/1964 Dickson..... 240/82 3,235,7212/1966 Dickson 240/82 3,255,428 6/1966 Robbins ,1 339/95 D 3,335,2688/1967 Baldwin i. 240/71 R 3,488,626 1/1970 Koerper et a1 240/71 R X3,559,151 1/1971 Gaynor .1

3,581,080 5/1971 Magi 3,742,429 6/1973 Morrison 339/176 L X PrimaryExaminerFred L. Braun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishburn, Gold & Litman57 ABSTRACT A vehicle lamp for automobiles, trailers, trucks. and thelike includes a housing having an open end compartment closed by a lensand a lamp support within the compartment for receiving a lamp having alamp base with at least one lamp contact thereon and engageable with aportion of a terminal mounted on an insulating member and having aresilient finger portion of the terminal engageable with a bare endportion of an insulated conductor in a manner to cause flexing of thefinger portion and clamping of the conductor by pressing the bare endportion of the conductor against the insulating member to preventwithdrawal therefromv 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Reissued Dec. 2, 1975Sheet 1 of3 Re. 28,637

Reissued Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 Re. 28,637

1 VEHICLE LAMP AND TERMINAL THEREFOR Matter enclosed in heavy bracketsI: 1 appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissuespecification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made byreissue.

The present invention relates to vehicle lamps and more particularly toa vehicle lamp having an insulating member therein and a terminalthereon adapted to engage and press a bare end portion of a conductoragainst the insulating member to prevent withdrawal of the conductortherefrom.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a vehiclelamp for automobiles, trailers, trucks, and the like having a terminalmounted on an insulating member and adapted to engage and press a bareend portion of an insulated conductor against the insulating member toprevent withdrawal of the conductor therefrom; to provide such a vehiclelamp which is easily and quickly installed on a vehicle; to provide agrip type electrical connector for a vehicle lamp and including aterminal mounted on an insulating member and having a resilient fingerportion engageable with a bare end portion of an insulated conductor forpressing same against the insulating member to prevent retractivemovement of the conductor; to provide such a grip type electricalconnector wherein the insulating member has resilient portions effectingsealing engagement with the conductor; and to provide such a vehiclesignal lamp which is economical to manufacture, durable in construction, positive in operation, and particularly well adapted for theproposed use.

Other object and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiment of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include anexemplary embodiment illustrating vari ous objects and features of thevehicle lamp and terminal therefor of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having mounted thereon avehicle lamp and terminal therefor embodying features of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the vehicle lamp with aportion of a lens broken away to better illustrate the component parts.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the vehicle lamp andshowing a second lamp connected thereto.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 44, FIG. 2 andshowing a lamp support within a main compartment and a lamp within aside compartment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 55, FIG. 2 andshowing a terminal for engagement by a lamp contact and for holding aconductor against withdrawal from the vehicle lamp.

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the terminalfor the vehicle lamp.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present in vention aredisclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosedembodiment are merely exem plary of the invention which may be embodiedin various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as lim- 2 iting, but merelyas a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching oneskilled in the art to variously employ the present invention invirtually any appropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the referencenumberal I generally designates a grip type electrical connector shownmounted in a vehicle lamp 2 for use on a vehicle, such as an automobile,trailer, truck, and the like. The vehicle, lamp 2 in cludes a housing 3having an open end compartment closed by a lens 4 and a lamp support 5within the compartment for receiving a lamp 6 having a lamp base 7 witha pair of lamp contacts 8 thereon which are each engageable with aflexible portion of a respective tcrmi nal 9 mounted on an insulatingmember 10 and each terminal 9 has at least one and preferably a pair offinger portions or locking tongues 11 engageable with a bare end portion12 of an insulated conductor 13 in a manner to cause flexing of therespective finger portion 11 of the terminal 9 while pressing of thebare end portion 12 of the conductor 13 against the insulating member 10to prevent withdrawal therefrom.

The housing may have any desired shape, however, the illustrated housing3 has a side wall I4 and a base wall 15 defining a generally cylindricallamp compartment having an open end. A flange 16 extends out wardly fromthe side wall 14 and forms a generally annular ring for supporting thelens 4. The flange 16 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced boresor aperture 17 therein to receive suitable fastening members, such asscrews (not shown) for securing the lens in position on the flange 16.

The walls of the housing 3 may be formed of any suitable materialproviding a substantially rigid support for the grip type electricalconnector I, however, it is preferred that the housing 3 be formed of aninsulating material, such as a thermoplastic or the like, for economyand simplicity of manufacture.

The lens 4 may be any suitable light directing member mounted on thehousing 3 to close the open end compartment. The lens 4 is illustratedas a generally convex member preferable formed of a suitable translucent material, such as plastic or the like, and having suitable lightdirecting elements, such as ribs, prisms, or the like, formed therein,The lens 4 has a plurality of bores or apertures 18 therein which arealignablc with respective bores or aperture 17 in the flange l6 and positioned and sized to permit the fastening members to extendtherethrough.

The lamp support 5 receives the lamp 6 and positions the contacts 8 ofthe lamp base 7 in engagement with the respective terminals 9 and isillustrated as being mounted on projections or ribs 19 and 20 extendinginto the lamp compartment from the base wall 15 of the housing 3 andincluding spaced end flanges 22 and 23 suitably secured to the base wall15, as by fastening members 24 and 25 respectively having threadedshafts 26 and 27 respectively extending from the base wall 15 formounting the vehicle lamp 2 in a suitable bracket (not shown) on thevehicle, such as the illustrated trailer. The threaded shafts 26 and 27are preferably formed of an electrical conductor, such as metal, toprovide a ground for the grip type electricai connector I and the lampsupport 5.

The illustrated lamp support 5 includes a pair of spaced upstanding arms28 and 29 connected to the end flanges 22 and 23 respectively andextending substantially normal or perpendicular to the base wall 15 3and a connecting portion 31) extending between the upstanding arms 28and 29 to define a generally U-shaped member extending from the basewall 15.

A tubular socket 31 is mounted on and extends from the connectingportion 30 and toward the base wall 15 and the insulating members 10thereon. The tubular socket 31 has suitable means thereon for receivingand supporting the lamp base 7 of a lamp 6. The illustrated socket 31has a lower edge 32 adapted to be engaged by suitable projectionsextending from opposite sides of the lamp base 7. The lower edge 32 ofthe tubular socket 31 has a pair of recesses therein to receive therespective projections on the lamp base 7.

The lamp support 5 and the socket 31 thereon are preferably formed of asuitable electrical conductor, such as metal, to complete a groundedelectrical circuit with a filament or filaments of the lamp 6 when thelamp base 7 is mounted in the socket 31. The socket 31 positions thelamp base 7 and the lamp contacts 8 and 9 thereon in engagement with therespective terminals 9 secured to and supported on the respectiveinsulating member 10 to permit completion of a circuit to effectoperation of the lamp 6.

The insulating member 10 may be formed of any suitable non-conductor,such as plastic, and may be formed integral with the housing 3 or be aseparate structure suitably secured thereto. The insulating member 10 isshown as an integral portion of the housing 3 and which has upstandingside walls 33 defining a structure extending from the base wall andtoward the lamp support 5. A terminal support member 34 extends betweenportions of the side walls 33 and in the illustrated structure, isdisposed substantially [paralel parallel with the base wall 15. Afastening portion 35 extends from the terminal support member 34 andthrough a suitable aperture in the respective terminal 9 and is suitablydeformed as by being flattened, to thereby secure one end of therespective terminal 9 on the terminal support member 34 intermediate theends of the respective terminal 9.

A wall member 36 extends into the lamp compartment from the base wall 15of the housing 3 and is spaced from the structure defined by the sidewalls 33 and the terminal support member 34 thereby providing supportfor the other end of the terminals 9. The portion of the terminals 9between the wall member 36 and the terminal support member issufficiently flexible to be deflected by engagement by the lamp contact8 to maintain good contact therewith.

Each insulating member 10 has a guide passage 37 therein for receivingand holding each bare end portion 12 of an insulated conductor 13 andeffecting sealing engagement therewith. The illustrated guide passage 37is defined by a portion of one side wall 33. The guide passage 37 tapersfrom an entry portion thereof to an aperture through the terminalsupport member 34 de fining an end of the guide passage and resilientportions or locking tongues to have sealing engagement with theconductor.

The finger portions 11 of each terminal 9 extend from the terminalsupport member 34 and each have an end portion 38 engageable with thebare end portion 12 of a respective electrical conductor 13. Each fingerportion 11 of each terminal 9 is preferably formed of spring materialand has a length relative to the terminal support member 34 such thatinsertion of a bare end portion 12 of an insulated conductor 13 betweenthe respective finger portion 11 of the temiinal 9 and through the guidepassage 37 oftht, insulating member 10 causes flexing of the fingerportion 11 of the respective terminal 9 and pressing or gripping of thebare end portion 12 against the insulating member 10 to clamp the bareend portion 12 in position and prevent withdrawal from the insulatingmember 10. The illustrated finger portions 11 of the terminals 9intersect the axis of the passages 37 and each have a free end with atransversely curved edge portion or notch 39 being positioned inoverlying relation with the aperture defining the end of the guidepassage 37 and the resilient portions thereof.

The housing 3 has a second lamp compartment 40 having a lamp support 41therein and a lens 42 positioned to permit light to extend from thehousing 3 in a direction substantially normal or perpendicular to thedirection that light extends from the lamp 6. The illustrated secondlamp compartment is defined by a generally planar portion 43 of the sidewall 14 and spaced side walls 44 extending outwardly from the side wall14 thereby defining an open end of the second lamp compartment 40 whichis closed by the, lens 42.

-The lens 42 is suitably secured to the housing 3, as by screws 45extending into suitable threaded sockets 46 in front and rear ends ofthe second lamp compartment 40 of the housing 3 which are enclosed byenlarged portions or extensions of the flange 16 and the base wall 15respectively.

The lens 42 may be any suitable light directing member mounted on theenlarged portion of the flange 16 and the base wall 15 to close thesecond lamp compartment. The lens 42 is illustrated as a generallyplanar member preferably formed of suitable translucent material, suchas plastic or the like, and having suitable light directing elements,such as ribs, prisms, or the like, formed therein.

The lamp support member 41 is positioned within the second lampcompartment 40 for supporting a lamp 47 and positioning same to directlight from the housing 3. The lamp support member 41 may be any suitablestructure adapted to support the lamp 47, such as a generally planar barsupported in spaced and parallel relation with the planar portion 43 ofthe side wall 14 and is preferably formed of an electrical conductor,such as metal to provide a circuit, as later described, to energize thelamp 47. A socket portion 48 is positioned in the planar bar andintermediate the ends thereof for receiving a lamp base 49 of the lamp47. The socket portion 48 is a tubular member and preferably hassuitable means for receiving and supporting the lamp base 49, such asopposed bayonet slots adapted to receive suitable projections extendingfrom opposite sides of the lamp base 49.

The socket portion 48 positions the lamp base 49 and a lamp contact orcontacts 50 thereon in engagement with a terminal 51 electricallyconnected to one of the terminals 9, as later described.

The terminal 51 preferably is formed of spring material and has one endportion 52 thereof in engagement with one end flange of the lamp support5 and secured in position by the respective fastening member. An otherend portion 53 of the terminal 51 extends through the planar portion 43of the side wall 14 and has an arm portion engageable with the lampcontact or contacts 50 of the lamp 47.

A suitable electrical connection for energizing the lamp 47 is providedby an insulated conductor 54 electrically connected to and extendingbetween the planar bar of the lamp support member 41 and one of theterminals 9 mounted on the insulating member 10.

The terminal 51 and the conductor 54 cooperate to effect a groundedcircuit for energizing the lamp 47 when mounted in the socket portion 48of the lamp support member 41. The threaded shafts 26 and 27 also effectgrounding of the circuit to the lamp 47 when the vehicle lamp 2 isinstalled in a suitable metal bracket on a vehicle.

Installation of the vehicle lamp 2 on a vehicle, such as the illustratedtrailer, is extremely fast and simple and requiring only insertion ofthe threaded shafts 26 and 27 in a suitable bracket (not shown) on thevehicle and placing suitable fastening members, such as nuts or the likeon ends of the threaded shafts 26 and 27. Bare end portions 12 ofrespective insulated conductors 13 are then moved into and through theguide passages 37 in the insulating member 10 until the bare end portion12 is forced between the finger portion 11 of the terminal 9 andportions of the insulating member 10. The bare end portions 12 of theinsulated conductors 13 are positioned between the transversely curvededge portion or notch 39 and portions of the insulating member 10 andthe terminals 9 are formed of spring material whereby the terminals flexor bend sufficiently to permit the bare end portions 12 to extendoutwardly through the guide passage 37 and then hold same in clampingengagement with the insulating member 10 to prevent withdrawal of theconductor 13 from the grip type electrical connector 1 in the vehiclelamp 2.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described oneform of my invention, it is not to be limited to this specific form orarrangement of parts described and shown.

What I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent l. A lamp structurecomprising:

a. a housing having walls defining a support structure of electricallyinsulating material, one of said walls having passages therethrough witheach being of a size to engage and guide an end portion of an insulatedconductor wire into said housing;

b. conductor terminal members in said housing for effecting electricalconnection between ends of conductor wires and electric lamp terminals,each of said terminal members being an electrically conductive strip ofresilient relatively hard material;

c. said terminal members being fixed in said housing and having elongatelocking tongues with free ends intersecting the axis of a respectiveconductor wire passage;

d. said free ends of the terminal member locking tongues each beinginclined toward the direction of wire insertion movement and having edgeportions operative to grip a respective wire end against an opposed sideforming the passage and bite into the wire making a positive electricalcontact therewith and resisting retractive movement of the respectiveconductor wire] [2. A lamp structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said locking tongues being a pair for each terminal member andextending in side by side parallel relation;

b. said free ends of said tongues being transversely curved providingthe respective free end with a notch and edges for receiving andengaging a conductor wire] [3. A lamp structure comprising:

a. a housing having a wall of electrically insulating material; saidwall having a passage therethrough of a size to engage and permit aninsulated conductor wire to extend therein;

b. a lens covered light transmitting opening in said housing;

c. a lamp support mounted in the housing for positioning an electriclamp for light therefrom to pass through said lens;

d. conductor terminal members for effective electrical connectionbetween ends of conductor wires and electric lamp terminals; each ofsaid terminal members being an electrically conductive strip ofresilient relatively hard material;

e. said housing having a wall surface adjacent said conductor passages;

f. said terminal members being fixed in said housing and having elongatelocking tongues with free ends facing toward said passages in opposedrelation to said adjacent wall surface and sufficiently close thereto tobe operable to clamp a wire end against said wall surface;

g. said free ends of the tongues being inclined toward the direction ofwire insertion movement and having an edge operative to bite into thewire, make positive electrical contact therewith and resist retractivemovement of the respective conductor wire.

h. mounting means exteriorly of said housing for securing an assembledlamp structure in an operative position, said conductor wires beinginsertable into the passages to complete electrical connection with thehousing closed and mounted.

I: 4. A lamp structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said lamp support has a socket member with a socket receiving a lampbase with an open end through which end contacts of the lamp extend;

b. spaced supports on said housing wall and engaging said terminalmembers and holding same with a portion of said terminal members betweensaid supports resiliently engages the lamp contacts;

c. said locking tongues being integral with said terminal members andextending from adjacent one support with the free ends spaced therefrom;

d. said passages being elongate and guiding the conductor-wires duringinsertion thereof to flex the locking tongues and move into grippedengagement between said tongues and said wall surface] I: 5. in avehicle lamp having a housing with a base wall and a side wall definingan open end compartment closed by a lens.

a. a lamp support mounted in a housing having walls defining an open endcompartment closed by a lens, said lamp support having a socket memberwith a socket for receiving a lamp base in electrical contact and havingan open end through which an end contact of the lamp base extends, saidlamp support having at least one leg extending from the socket member toa wall of the housing,

b. means securing said leg of said lamp support to the wall of thehousing to position a lamp in the socket for directing light through thelens;

0. portions of the one of said housing walls defining a conductor wirepassage opening exteriorly of the housing and of a size to engage andguide an end portion of an insulated conductor wire of a lamp circuit ina substantially linear path into said compartment;

d. a terminal member mounted relative to said one of said housing wallsand having a resilient portion extending toward the open end of saidsocket member to be in electrical engagement with a lamp contact of alamp therein. said terminal member having a resilient locking tonguewith a free end intersecting the axis of said conductor wire passage;

e. said free end of the locking tongue of said terminal member beinginclined toward the direction of wire insertion and having edge portionsto engage a bare end portion of an insulated conductor against anopposite passage defining portion and the bite into said wire therebygripping same to prevent retractive movement thereof, said lamp beingsuch that the conductor connections are completed with the housingclosed.

I: 6. in a vehicle lamp as set forth in claim wherein:

a. the lamp base has a pair of end contacts thereon;

b. a terminal member is mounted on the one of said housing walls foreach of the end contacts on the lamp base with the resilient portionthereof engaging the respective lamp contact;

c. each terminal member has a pair of locking tongues; and

d. said one of said housing walls has portions defining a conductor wirepassage for each locking tongue of each terminal member] 7. In a vehiclelamp as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

a. the conductor wire passage defined by portions of the one of saidhousing walls is elongate and substantially in a line with the conductorentrance opening at the exterior end thereof;

b. said conductor entrance opening is of a size to receive an insulatedconductor of a lamp circuit; and

c. said portions of said one of said housing walls has a resilientportion in the conductor wire passage to have sealing engagement with aconductor] 8. In a vehicle lamp as set forth in claim [7] 14 wherein:

a. the lamp base has a pair of end contacts thereon;

b. [the said one ofsaid base and side walls of said housing [walls] hasa wall portion extending therefrom and a terminal support portionextending from said wall portion;

c. a terminal member for each of the end contacts on the lamp base ismounted on the terminal support portion of [the] said one of said baseand side walls of said housing [walls] with the resilientportion thereofengaging the respective lamp contact;

d. each terminal member has a pair of locking tongues;

e. the wall portion and the terminal support portion have portionspositioned to define said conductor Wire passages there being a passagefor each locking tongue.

I: 9. In a vehicle lamp as set forth in claim 5 wherein the housing haswalls defining a second compartment therein with an opening closed by alens and including:

a. a lamp support mounted in a second compartment in the housing andhaving a socket member with a socket for receiving a lamp base inelectrical contact and having an open end through which an end contactof the lamp base may extend;

b. means securing said socket member of said lamp support in the secondcompartment to position a lamp in said socket for directing lightthrough a lens closing an opening in the second compartment;

c. a terminal member in electrical contact with and extending from saidfirst named lamp support and having a resilient portion extending towardthe open end of said socket member of said second named lamp support toelectrically engage a lamp contact of a lamp therein; and

d. an electrical conductor connected to and extending between said firstnamed terminal member and said second named lamp support. I

I0. .4 vehicle lamp structure comprising.-

(a) a housing with a base wall and a side wall defining an open endcompartment closed by a lens;

(b) a lamp support mounted in said housing, said lamp support having asocket member with a socket for receiving a lamp base in electricalcontact and having an open end through which an end Contact of the lampbase extends, said lamp support having at least one leg extending fromthe socket member to adjacent said base wall of the housing;

(c) means securing said leg of said lamp support to said base wall ofthe housing to position a lamp in the socket for directing light throughthe lens;

(d) wall members upstanding on the base wall toward said socket memberand positioned on opposite sides of said socket member, said wallmembers terminating in ends;

(e) a terminal member mounted on said ends of the upstanding wallmembers and having a resilient portion extending therebetween and underportions of said socket member for electrical engagement with a lampcontact of a lamp therein, said terminal member having one end thereofsecured to one of said upstanding wall members and the other endengaging the other said upstanding wall member, and said terminal memberbeing deflected by engagement of the lamp contact whereby said terminalmember resiliently maintains said engagement; and

(f) means for effecting electrical connection of said terminal memberand said socket member to a source of electrical power.

I I. In a vehicle lamp as set forth in claim IO wherein (a) saidupstanding wall members being integral with the base wall and beingelectrically non-conductive;

(b) said lamp support having a pair of said legs in spaced apartrelation with each leg being secured to the base wall and beinggenerally upstanding thereon, said terminal member extending betweensaid upstanding wall members and through an opening partially defined bysaid upstanding legs.

12. In a vehicle lamp as set forth in claim I I including:

(a) a pair of end contacts on the lamp base;

(b) a pair of said terminal members mounted on said ends of saidupstanding wall members in side by side spaced relation with theresilient portion of each in electrical engagement with a respectivesaid end contact; and

(c) means cooperating with said terminal members and retaining same inspaced relation.

I3. In a vehicle lamp as set forth in claim II wherein:

(a) said terminal member being generally planar between the upstandingwall members and having the other end engaging the other said upstandingwall member end and movable thereon allowing said resilient portion toflex between said upstanding wall members and resiliently engage saidend contact.

14. In a vehicle lamp having a housing with a base wall and a side walldefining an open end compartment closed by a lens;

(a) a lamp support mounted in said housing, said lamp support having asocket member with a socket for receiving a lamp base in electricalcontact and having an open end through which an end contact of the lampbase extends, said lamp support having at least one leg extending fromthe socket member to one of said base and side walls of the housing;

(b) means securing said leg of said lamp support to said one of saidbase and side walls of the housing to position a lamp in the socket fordirecting light through the lens;

(c) portions of said one of said base and side walls of said housingdefining a conductor wire passage having an axis and opening exteriorlyof the housing forming a conductor entrance opening, said passage beingofa size to engage and guide an end portion of an insulated conductorwire of a lamp circuit in a substantially linear path into saidcompartment;

said base and side walls of said housing and having a resilient portionextending toward the open end of said socket member to be in electricalengagement with a lamp contact of a lamp therein, said terminal memberhaving a resilient locking tongue extending toward said conductor wirepassage from one side thereof and with a free end intersecting the axisof (1) said conductor wire passage defined by portions of said one ofsaid base and side walls of said housing is elongate and substantiallyin a line with said conductor entrance opening at the exterior endthereof;

(g) said conductor entrance opening is of a size to receive an insulatedconductor of a lamp circuit; and

(h) said portions of said one of said base and side walls of saidhousing has a resilient portion in the conductor wire passage to havesealing engagement with a conductor.

I 5 In a vehicle lamp having a housing with a base wall and a side walldefining an open end compartment closed by a lens:

(a) a lamp support mounted in said housing, said lamp support having asocket member with a socket for receiving a lamp base in electricalcontact and having an open end through which an end contact of the lampbase extends, said lamp support having at least (d) a terminal membermounted relative to said one of one leg extending from the socket memberto one of said base and side walls of the housing;

(b) means securing said leg of said lamp support to said one of saidbase and side walls of the housing I0 position a lamp in the socket fordirecting light through the lens;

(c) portions of said one of said base and side walls of said housingdefining a conductor wire passage having an axis and opening exteriorlyof the housing forming a conductor entrance opening, said passage beingof a size to engage and guide on end portion of an insulated conductorwire of a lamp circuit in a substantially linear path into saidcompartment;

(d) a terminal member mounted relative to said one of said base and sidewalls of said housing and having a resilient portion extending towardthe open end of said socket member to be in electrical engagement with alamp contact of a lamp therein, said terminal member having a resilientlocking tongue extending toward said conductor wire passage from a sidethereof and with a free end intersecting the axis of said conductor wirepassage;

(e) said free end of the locking tongue of said terminal member beinginclined toward the direction 0 wire insertion and having edge portionsto engage a bare end portion of an insulated conductor against a wallportion defining said conductor wire passage and bite into said wirethereby gripping same to prevent retractive movement thereof, said lampbeing such that the conductor connections are completed with the housingclosed;

(I) said housing having wall portions extending from said side wall anddefining a second compartment therein with an opening closed by a lensand including:

(1) a lamp support mounted in said second compartment in the housing andhaving a socket member with a socket for receiving a lamp base inelectrical contact and having an open end through which an end contactof the lamp base may extend;

(2) means securing said socket member of said lamp support in the secondcompartment to position a lamp in said socket for directing lightthrough a lens closing an opening in the second compartment;

(3) a terminal member in electrical contact with and extending from saidfirst named lamp support and having a resilient portion extending towardthe open end of said socket member of said second named lamp support toelectrically engage a lamp contact of a lamp therein; and

(4) an electrical conductor connected to and extending between saidfirst named terminal member and said second named lamp support.

8. In a vehicle lamp as set forth in claim (7) 14 wherein: a. the lampbase has a pair of end contacts thereon; b. (the) said one of said baseand side walls of said housing (walls) has a wall portion extendingtherefrom and a terminal support portion extending from said wallportion; c. a terminal member for each of the end contacts on the lampbase is mounted on the terminal support portion of (the) said one ofsaid base and side walls of said housing (walls) with the resilientportion thereof engaging the respective lamp contact; d. each terminalmember has a pair of locking tongues; e. the wall portion and theterminal support portion have portions positioned to define saidconductor wire passages there being a passage for each locking tongue.10. A vehicle lamp structure comprising: (a) a housing with a base walland a side wall defining an open end compartment closed by a lens; (b) alamp support mounted in said housing, said lamp support having a socketmember with a socket for receiving a lamp base in electrical contact andhaving an open end through which an end contact of the lamp baseextends, said lamp support having at least one leg extending from thesocket member to adjacent said base wall of the housing; (c) meanssecuring said leg of said lamp support to said base wall of the housingto position a lamp in the socket for directing light through the lens;(d) wall members upstanding on the base wall toward said socket memberand positioned on opposite sides of said socket member, said wallmembers terminating in ends; (e) a terminal member mounted on said endsof the upstanding wall members and having a resilient portion extendingtherebetween and under portions of said socket member for electricalengagement with a lamp contact of a lamp therein, said terminal memberhaving one end thereof secured to one of said upstanding wall membersand the other end engaging the other said upstanding wall member, andsaid terminal member being deflected by engagement of the lamp contactwhereby said terminal member resiliently maintains said engagement; and(f) means for effecting electrical connection of said terminal memberand said socket member to a source of electrical power.
 11. In a vehiclelamp as set forth in claim 10 wherein: (a) said upstanding wall membersbeing integral with the base wall and being electrically non-conductive;(b) said lamp support having a pair of said legs in spaced apartrelation with each leg being secured to the base wall and beinggenerally upstanding thereon, said terminal member extending betweensaid upstanding wall members and through an opening partially defined bysaid upstanding legs.
 12. In a vehicle lamp as set forth in claim 11including: (a) a pair of end contacts on the lamp base; (b) a pair ofsaid terminal members mounted on said ends of said upstanding wallmembers in side by side spaced relation with the resilient portion ofeach in electrical engagement with a respective said end contact; and(c) means cooperating with said terminal members and retaining same inspaced relation.
 13. In a vehicle lamp as set forth in claim 11 wherein:(a) said terminal member being generally planar between the upstandingwall members and having the other end engaging the other said upstandingwall member end and movable thereon allowing said resilient portion toflex between said upstanding wall members and resiliently engage saidend conTact.
 14. In a vehicle lamp having a housing with a base wall anda side wall defining an open end compartment closed by a lens; (a) alamp support mounted in said housing, said lamp support having a socketmember with a socket for receiving a lamp base in electrical contact andhaving an open end through which an end contact of the lamp baseextends, said lamp support having at least one leg extending from thesocket member to one of said base and side walls of the housing; (b)means securing said leg of said lamp support to said one of said baseand side walls of the housing to position a lamp in the socket fordirecting light through the lens; (c) portions of said one of said baseand side walls of said housing defining a conductor wire passage havingan axis and opening exteriorly of the housing forming a conductorentrance opening, said passage being of a size to engage and guide anend portion of an insulated conductor wire of a lamp circuit in asubstantially linear path into said compartment; (d) a terminal membermounted relative to said one of said base and side walls of said housingand having a resilient portion extending toward the open end of saidsocket member to be in electrical engagement with a lamp contact of alamp therein, said terminal member having a resilient locking tongueextending toward said conductor wire passage from one side thereof andwith a free end intersecting the axis of said conductor wire passage;(e) said free end of the locking tongue of said terminal member beinginclined toward the direction of wire insertion and having edge portionsto engage a bare end portion of an insulated conductor against a wallportion defining said conductor wire passage and bite into said wirethereby gripping same to prevent retractive movement thereof, said lampbeing such that the conductor connections are completed with the housingclosed; (f) said conductor wire passage defined by portions of said oneof said base and side walls of said housing is elongate andsubstantially in a line with said conductor entrance opening at theexterior end thereof; (g) said conductor entrance opening is of a sizeto receive an insulated conductor of a lamp circuit; and (h) saidportions of said one of said base and side walls of said housing has aresilient portion in the conductor wire passage to have sealingengagement with a conductor.
 15. In a vehicle lamp having a housing witha base wall and a side wall defining an open end compartment closed by alens: (a) a lamp support mounted in said housing, said lamp supporthaving a socket member with a socket for receiving a lamp base inelectrical contact and having an open end through which an end contactof the lamp base extends, said lamp support having at least one legextending from the socket member to one of said base and side walls ofthe housing; (b) means securing said leg of said lamp support to saidone of said base and side walls of the housing to position a lamp in thesocket for directing light through the lens; (c) portions of said one ofsaid base and side walls of said housing defining a conductor wirepassage having an axis and opening exteriorly of the housing forming aconductor entrance opening, said passage being of a size to engage andguide an end portion of an insulated conductor wire of a lamp circuit ina substantially linear path into said compartment; (d) a terminal membermounted relative to said one of said base and side walls of said housingand having a resilient portion extending toward the open end of saidsocket member to be in electrical engagement with a lamp contact of alamp therein, said terminal member having a resilient locking tongueextending toward said conductor wire passage from a side thereof andwith a free end intersecting the axis of said conductor wire passage;(e) said free end of the locking tongue of said terminal member beinginclined toward the direction of wire insertion and having edge portionsto engage a bare end portion of an insulated conductor against a wallportion defining said conductor wire passage and bite into said wirethereby gripping same to prevent retractive movement thereof, said lampbeing such that the conductor connections are completed with the housingclosed; (f) said housing having wall portions extending from said sidewall and defining a second compartment therein with an opening closed bya lens and including: (1) a lamp support mounted in said secondcompartment in the housing and having a socket member with a socket forreceiving a lamp base in electrical contact and having an open endthrough which an end contact of the lamp base may extend; (2) meanssecuring said socket member of said lamp support in the secondcompartment to position a lamp in said socket for directing lightthrough a lens closing an opening in the second compartment; (3) aterminal member in electrical contact with and extending from said firstnamed lamp support and having a resilient portion extending toward theopen end of said socket member of said second named lamp support toelectrically engage a lamp contact of a lamp therein; and (4) anelectrical conductor connected to and extending between said first namedterminal member and said second named lamp support.